My '85 Cougar has had noisy steering almost since day-one. It just sings up a storm when you turn! Drives me crazy! Along the way, the rack and pinion and power steering pump both have been replaced and the noise is still there. What could be the reason it's so loud and noisy? Once the car is running again and back on the road, I'm going to want to get the steering fixed. Help!
you sure it's the power steering? i've encountered numerous AC compressors that make the same racket.. my sonoma does it now, my cougar and SC did it at some point, etc
The AC compressor is gone. It's the steering because of how bad it whines. Its annoying.
Whats the reason? Its a ford. They all sound like that.
yeah, but mine is worse than "normal." lol
The vert is pretty loud when it gets to the end
I just had to replace the high pressure hose. And now mine whines alittle. Gotta be careful not to run it low. I'd like to swap in a manual rack.
What fluid are you using? If the pump is under warranty,swap it out.I use the Ford tranny fluid and Lucas in the pump. No whining on the Sport.
Who replaced the parts? You or is it hear say? Was it flushed between all them parts changes?
If you want to fix the whine then replace the rack, pump, high pressure hose and flush the low pressure hose. I use Mobil 1 synthetic fluid on mine and don't have issues. Installation and priming the system before you start the motor seem to help as well. Install all the parts and do not put the belt on the pump pulley. I fill the pump reservoir and then turn the pump pulley by hand and continue to do this until it no longer need to be filled and the majority of the air bubbles are gone. Keep the front end jacked up so it is easier to turn the wheels lock to lock as it reduces the pressure required by the pump to assist in turning the wheels. Start the car and slowly turn the wheels one direction but do not max it out or if it becomes maxed out do not hold it there. Do this both directions a couple of time and kill the motor. Check the fluid level frequently as once you run one of these pumps low it will whine for the rest of its life.
Kitz Kat mentioned flushing the system and I agree completely with him as typically the rack starts to fail and aluminum shavings get into the system and this is what kills the pump. Most people replace the pump or rack only to have it fail shortly after due to the shavings not being flushed. I find its just easier to replace them both with lifetime units and if one ever fails later down the road then just replace them both under warranty and be done with it.
Darren
My steering rack,pump,and high pressure line are all Autozone parts.Zero issues since I installed them all at the same time about a year and a half ago.
i put tranny fluid in mine instead of ps fluid and shut it right up. The manual actually calls for tranny fluid instead of ps fluid
that's awesome! When I get the car back on the road and work out all the kinks, I'll do that! Thanks!